Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP)
The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and is designed to prepare candidates for the exciting profession of athletic training by preparing students to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination. Athletic trainers are the front-line professionals dealing specifically with athletes and athletic injuries. The program consists of various academic and clinical experiences. Athletic training candidates are exposed to numerous academic challenges, and are involved in the daily delivery of athletic healthcare to intercollegiate and high school athletes as part of the clinical component of the program. This hands-on experience will better enable the candidates to complete clinical competencies and give them the opportunity to expand the concepts learned in the classroom. These experiences include practice and game coverage, injury evaluation and treatment, implementing injury prevention techniques, as well as designing and implementing long-term rehabilitation and conditioning programs.
Mission Statement
The Athletic Training Education Program reflects the mission and academic integrity of Cumberland University. The mission of the Cumberland University Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) is to prepare candidates for the profession of athletic training. The program is designed to give candidates the knowledge and experience necessary to continue their athletic training career in whatever avenue they decide to pursue. This includes giving candidates the knowledge and skills necessary to become a certified athletic trainer, to continue on to a graduate program, and/or to prepare them for a job as a certified athletic trainer upon completion of the program.
Admissions Requirements to the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP)
The Athletic Training Education Program has a limited enrollment. The number of students admitted may be limited to the number of spaces available in the program in order to maintain an 8:1 student to Approved Clinical Instructor ratio. Therefore, all candidates must make formal application, be admitted to the program, and follow the prescribed course of study. The following are the requirements for admission to the program:
- Be admitted to Cumberland University by the Office of Admissions.
- Complete HPER 230 and HPER 227 with a “B” or better
- Have an overall minimum GPA of 2.50
- Complete 75 clinical observation hours, 50 documented hours for transfer students.
- Complete an ATEP application.
- Letter of application
- Interview with the selection committee
- Provide documentation of passing a physical examination
- Provide evidence of completion of the Hepatitis B, MMR, and TB skin immunizations
- Technical Standards form signed
- Successful completion of criminal background check
- Provide evidence of NATA membership
Selection of candidates into the ATEP is made after April 15th for the next academic year. Application materials should be completed prior to this date to be fully considered for admission to the program. Application materials and any additional information can be requested from the ATEP Director. Once the deadline for submission of applications has passed, the selection committee will interview all qualified applicants. The selection committee (consisting of all athletic training faculty members) will then evaluate each applicant according to four criteria using a weighted point system. After this evaluation, the highest-scoring applicants will be accepted into the Athletic Training Education Program. The criteria and weighting system are as follows:
Grade Point Average
3.50 and higher – 10 points
3.25 to 3.49 – 8 points
3.00 to 2.99 – 6 points
2.75 to 2.99 – 4 points
2.50 to 2.74 – 2 points
Quality of Observation Hours
Outstanding – 10 points
Great – 8 points
Good – 6 points
Fair – 4 points
Poor – 2 points
Quality of Interview
Outstanding – 5 points
Great – 4 points
Good – 3 points
Fair –2 points
Poor – 1 point
Quality of Application and Letter
Outstanding – 5 points
Great – 4 points
Good – 3 points
Fair – 2 points
Poor – 1 point
* All Cumberland University ATEP candidates will be ranked according to the assessment form score. Available slots within the ATEP major will be filled according to this prioritized listing of candidates starting with the top score downward. If there is a tie score and there are not enough positions available within the ATEP, then a tie-breaker will be used. Applicants will be ranked from highest to lowest based on the documented evidence provided in their application file regarding their directed observation clinical experiences for the available slots. ATEP candidates not being accepted may reapply for admission during the next available application period. Specific ATEP application materials are located on the CU website on the Athletic Training link.
Cumberland ’s Athletic Training Education Program makes no distinction in its admission policies or procedure on grounds of age, sex, religion, race, color, national origin, or physical handicap.
Athletic Training Education Program Retention Requirements
It is necessary that candidates show excellence in the coursework aspects of the ATEP as well as in the clinical aspect in order to have a reasonable opportunity for professional success after graduation, and in passing the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Therefore, to remain in good standing in the program, candidates must:
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better on a 4.0 scale
- Maintain an “ATEP core” grade point average of 3.00 or better on a 4.0 scale
- Maintain successful completion of the clinical competencies.
- Maintain CPR certification
- Maintain NATA Membership status
Any student falling below the cumulative or ATEP core GPA requirement will be placed on probation for the next semester. At the end of that semester, an improvement in GPA must be made, or suspension from the ATEP will result. The student will remain on probation until such time as the GPA has attained the required level. Students placed on suspension will be withdrawn from the ATEP and will have to reapply for admission into the ATEP.
Student Appeals Process
Athletic training students who disagree with a decision made concerning their academic or professional behavior (such as denial of admission to the ATEP or being placed on probation or suspension from the ATEP because of academic insufficiencies or behavioral problems) have the right to appeal the decision. Athletic training students are encouraged to discuss their concerns or problems with their instructor, supervisor, and/or advisor. If a candidate is unable to resolve an issue with the involved faculty, he/she is encouraged to submit concerns in writing to the ATEP Director and meet with the program director for further discussion and resolution. The ATEP Director and faculty will review the appeal at the department level. The candidate then has the right to appeal at the college level if there is still disagreement following a departmental appeal. This candidate grievance procedure is outlined in the undergraduate handbook.
Athletic Training Handbook
The Athletic Training Education Program publishes an Athletic Training Handbook detailing policies and procedures for students and staff within the Athletic Training Department and the Athletic Training Education Program. The regulations contained in this document apply to each student enrolled in the program. The Athletic Training Department Handbook is available on the website and by request from the ATEP Director.
Credit for Athletic Training Courses
Candidates may only receive credit for Athletic Training courses if taken at Cumberland University. Candidates may not receive credit for Athletic Training courses taken at other universities. An exception may be requested for transfer of HPER 230, Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries, with the approval of the Athletic Training Education Program Director.
NOTE: This policy will also apply to those students desiring to change their major to Athletic Training after the first 30 hours of academic work.
Clinical Completion Requirements
Candidates must complete Clinical Experience in Athletic Training I-V with a “C” or better to be eligible for completion of the Athletic Training Education Program.
Candidates must complete a minimum of 850 clinical hours to be eligible for completion of the Athletic Training Education Program and to be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. In order to meet this hours requirement, there is a minimum of 150 clinical hours required for Clinical Experience I and II (HPER 351-352) in Athletic Training, a minimum of 175 hours for Clinical III-IV (HPER 353-354), and a minimum of 200 clinical hours for Clinical V (HPER 355). If a student fails to complete their clinical hours during any clinical course, the student will be unable to progress to the next level of Clinical Experience in Athletic Training.
A minimum of one semester of Clinical Experience in Athletic Training (HPER 351-355) must be completed in both the Fall and Spring semesters. The remaining three semesters may be completed in either the Fall or Spring terms, as approved by the ATEP Director.
Every athletic training student must master the competencies and proficiencies, which are provided in the 4th edition of the Athletic Training Educational Competencies which was published in 2006 by the NATA Educational Council.
NATA and TATS Membership
All athletic training students are expected to maintain current membership in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society (TATS). Successful completion of the Athletic Training major prepares the candidate to take the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination and to apply for licensure by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners after passing the BOC Examination.
A copy of the student’s membership cards will be kept in the student’s file. NATA membership is required for completion of each clinical experience in Athletic Training.